Dominic Raab justifies need for Taliban 'dialogue' as reported leaders emerge

ITV News Global Security Editor Rohit Kachroo reports as the Taliban claims to have defeated the last resistance standing against them

The UK has accepted a need for dialogue with Afghanistan's new Taliban leadership, as reports emerged detailing a number of its key Cabinet ministers.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab admitted it will be important to have a "direct line of communication" with the new leadership, but reiterated the UK would not "recognise the Taliban as a government".

Raab: 'We will not recognise the Taliban government but we must engage...'

Mr Raab, speaking at a press conference in Islamabad after meeting Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, said countries around the world must come together to hold the Taliban to its word, and dialogue would be an important part of that.

He spoke again about forming a regional coalition to hold the Taliban to account and apply a "moderating" force on the group.

"Pakistan's support and role will be vital," Mr Raab said. "We have a shared interest in supporting a stable and peaceful future for Afghanistan."

He said the international community must "face up to the new reality" of dealing with a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and it must "engage", in order to ensure human rights are protected in the country.

"The Taliban has made a series of undertakings and some of them are positive at the level of words but we need to test them to see that they translate into deeds and we can't do that unless we have some channel of dialogue," he added.

The foreign secretary declined to give an update on talks between Sir Simon Gass, the Prime Minister's special representative for Afghan transition, and the Taliban.

But after talks in Doha, Qatar, a Taliban spokesman said they had discussed "humanitarian assistance, political and security topics".

What has been reported about the new Taliban leadership?

According to the Reuters news agency, the new regime will be led by Taliban co-founder and leader of the recent insurgency, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.

The commander fought against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan before helping to form the Taliban in the mid-1990s.He will reportedly be joined at the top of government by Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, the son of late Taliban co-founder Mullah Omar.

The Reuters agency also reports Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the deputy head of the Taliban's political office in Doha, Qatar, will be given a senior role.

Will the Taliban honour its promise to include women in power roles?

The Taliban has insisted women will be given roles in the new government, but reports suggest it's unlikely any will hold senior positions.

Dozens of female protesters gathered outside the presidential palace in Kabul ahead of an official announcement, urging the country's new leaders to include women in their Cabinet.

Taliban leaders have sought to project a more moderate image in recent months, including saying women and girls will be able to attend school and work in accordance with Islamic law.